During the first phase of construction of the Old Synagogue, beginning around 1100, the first streets and plots in this quarter were established. In 1310, the property was first mentioned as the “passage to the synagogue.” The owners were Abraham of Rothenburg (see nos. 8 and 9) and the Jewish community. Following the pogrom against the Jews of Erfurt on March 21, 1349, the city council appropriated the property; since then, only Christian residents have been documented. In the 14th century, Christian goldsmiths lived in the neighbouring houses, including Johannes Nase, whose hallmark is preserved on silver bars in the Erfurt Treasury.

The oldest wooden elements of the house date from after 1430, and a painted wooden shopfront dated from no later than 1460. In 1510, the house name ‘Zum Kaffenberg’ appears; the owner was the merchant Claus Gronenberg. The main construction phase of the building still standing today (1532) dates from this period. In 1650, the organ builder Ludwig Compenius lived here. Among other works, he built the organs in St. Michael’s Church and the Dominican church. In 1748, City Captain Johann Wilhelm Planert had the house remodelled. In 1820, the innkeeper Zacharias Zacher purchased the property and established a coffeehouse. In 1890, the magnificent ‘Kaiserzimmer’ was built on the upper floor. In 1926, the then-owner Willi Anders introduced the restaurant name ‘Feuerkugel’. In 2002, the building was acquired by Jutta Heidemann and renovated in accordance with historic preservation standards.

Zur Station 5 Zur Station 3